► Disaster management in the United States has always been in response of particular disasters. Recovery which is one of the phases of disaster management has…
(more)

▼ Disaster management in the United States has always
been in response of particular disasters. Recovery which is one of
the phases of disaster management has been very difficult to manage
in the aftermath of disasters. Every once in a while disasters
occur and local governments are supposed to respond and help
victims recover. Sheltering and housing of displaced victims happen
to be one of the key components of the recovery phase of disaster
management. This research is aimed at finding the problems involved
in the implementation of recovery programs and help improve upon
delivery. The federal government management acting through Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to urge States and
county governments to set higher standards to help victims recover
in the aftermath of disasters. All disasters are local.
Establishing emergency shelters is generally a well-rehearsed
effort that unfolds smoothly at the local level as emergency
management officials and non-governmental organizations execute
their emergency plans. Current practices in disaster housing vary
based on the nature and scope of a disaster and can range from
providing short-term shelters to arranging temporary and in some
cases, permanent housing. These challenges are exacerbated when
impacted victims are displaced from their homes for longer periods
of time and temporary housing must be provided. Meeting housing
demands in normal times are difficult to meet but it is even more
challenging when resources are stretched thin and demands become
greater. An exploratory case study research was conducted in all 88
counties in the State of Ohio. The research population consisted of
all 88 county directors of emergency management agencies. This
research was designed to explore the challenges involved in the
implementation of recovery and disaster housing programs in the
aftermath of disasters. Using the CriticalIncident Technique (CIT)
county directors were asked to recall and retell their experiences
with sheltering/housing in the aftermath of the last disaster that
occurred in their county. In analyzing the dominant themes that
came out of the online/mail surveys as well as focused interviews
with five directors, the study found out that some of the barriers
to successful implementation of shelters and housing programs in
the aftermath of disasters were politics and bureaucracy, lack of
adequate knowledge about laws governing recovery, lack of recovery
plans for functional/special needs population, lack of back-up
power to operate emergency operation centers and political
interference in the hiring of personnel working for county EMAs
leading to less qualified people being hired. In addition to the
above findings, the study showed that most county directors need to
upgrade their knowledge and skills in emergency management through
professional continuous development and also by getting higher
education beyond the high school level. It was also shown that
county political leaders need to be educated in the basics of
emergency management so that they…
Advisors/Committee Members: Berry-James, RaJade (Advisor).

Frimpong, A. (2010). Recovery After Disasters: Improving the Patterns of
Sheltering and Housing for Impacted Victims. (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Akron. Retrieved from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279894852

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

Frimpong, Agyemang. “Recovery After Disasters: Improving the Patterns of
Sheltering and Housing for Impacted Victims.” 2010. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Akron. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279894852.

Frimpong A. Recovery After Disasters: Improving the Patterns of
Sheltering and Housing for Impacted Victims. [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Akron; 2010. Available from: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1279894852

► This application for PhD by publication is the culmination of a series of investigations concerning the development of a conceptual model of student satisfaction with…
(more)

▼ This application for PhD by publication is the culmination of a series of investigations concerning the development of a conceptual model of student satisfaction with their higher education (HE) experience. The five core papers that sequentially contributed to knowledge are presented within this application, together with their supporting papers. In particular, the investigations focussed on what were the main determinants of student satisfaction utilising criticalincident technique (CIT). New determinants of quality within higher education were identified as a result, namely motivation, praise/reward, social inclusion, usefulness, value for money and fellow student behaviour. The resultant research papers have made an original contribution to knowledge in the area of quality in HE. The rationale for using CIT to gather and analyse data was to investigate its effectiveness in triangulating with existing methods used in HE to measure student satisfaction. The CIT research was triggered by previous research that had developed and tested a student satisfaction questionnaire. CIT is used to gather data that is defined as ‘rich’. It is ideal when researching new areas. The questionnaire was based on the work of Sasser et al (1978) who proposed that service delivery consisted of a ‘bundle’ of goods and services, which incorporated distinct elements (the facilitating goods, the sensual service and the psychological service). The CIT survey instrument subsequently adopted, built upon the seminal work by Flanagan (1954) who developed it to assess the psychological impact (on pilots) when learning to fly. Both survey instruments were used to identify the determinants of quality in higher education from a student’s point of view and ultimately what was considered “critically critical” (Edvardsson & Nilsson-Wittel, 2004). An evaluation of teaching quality was carried out as part of this series during the mid-2000 era, and a comparison made of some of the existing measurement methods used at the time, such as student feedback questionnaires and peer review practices. A review of the potential use of mystery students in higher education was also carried out. This particular study highlighted the lack of confidence (by teaching personnel) in the existing methods for evaluating teaching quality as well as some mistrust of the concept of using mystery students in a classroom setting. A multi-method approach was chosen for this series of studies, because of the merits in using both quantitative and qualitative studies to generate data. Using such an approach provided a sequential method of analysing and presenting the data for this cross-sectional study. The initial student satisfaction questionnaire was a quantitative instrument and gathered data on importance and satisfaction ratings (using a five-point Likert scale) which were further analysed used quadrant analysis. The CIT survey was largely qualitative in nature and gathered written narratives from students about their positive and negative experiences; the resulting data used…

► This qualitative study explores the reasons why principals from all levels, elementary, middle, and high school, seek out new learning and professional growth. This study…
(more)

▼ This qualitative study explores the reasons why principals from all levels, elementary, middle, and high school, seek out new learning and professional growth. This study sought to gain a better understanding of why school leaders continue to grow, as well as how they know when there is a need for additional learning. In particular, the research focused on the self-directed learning of the school leader and the necessary learning that must take place in order for leaders to stay abreast of new requirements and practices. The study focused on self-directed learning as well as formal and informal professional development.
In order for the researcher to gain a clear understanding of the types of professional development used by the participants, the reasons for learning and how the learning impacted those they serve. The researcher used a grounded theory approach based on an epistemology of constructionism. The participants in this study included four elementary, four middle, and four high school principals. There were two men and two women from each level. The participants were chosen by a panel of central office leaders and college professors based on their knowledge of the participants’ work.
Each participant was interviewed twice and invited to share a learning artifact that represented his/her continual professional growth. Data were collected from the interviews. These school leaders demonstrated the need for continuous learning in order to be successful as a school leader. Findings, through intensive analysis of each participants interview, demonstrated how school leaders’ personal learning has had an impact on those around them. Through the study the participants shared how important self-directed learning is to the success of a school administrator. The participants demonstrated the importance of staying abreast of the ever changing role of the principal as well as having a clear understanding of their own personal needs as a leader to continue to learn when needed, thus being a truly reflective administrator as well as a life-long learner. This study demonstrates the importance of being a reflective leader, how school leaders engage in self-directed learning through formal and informal professional development and how the new learning of school leaders has an exponential impact on those that they serve.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gordon, Steve (advisor), Coryell, Joellen (advisor), Boone, Michael (committee member), O'Malley, Michael (committee member).

Miller-Kopp, K. (2018). The Professional Development of Successful School Leaders: Adults Learning and Leading. (Doctoral Dissertation). Texas State University – San Marcos. Retrieved from https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/7782

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

Miller-Kopp, Karen. “The Professional Development of Successful School Leaders: Adults Learning and Leading.” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, Texas State University – San Marcos. Accessed January 21, 2019.
https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/7782.

Miller-Kopp K. The Professional Development of Successful School Leaders: Adults Learning and Leading. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. Texas State University – San Marcos; 2018. [cited 2019 Jan 21].
Available from: https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/7782.

Council of Science Editors:

Miller-Kopp K. The Professional Development of Successful School Leaders: Adults Learning and Leading. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Texas State University – San Marcos; 2018. Available from: https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/7782

► Children sometimes experience loss and trauma through critical incidents such as unexpected bereavement through accidental death which can have negative psychological effects. In many countries,…
(more)

▼ Children sometimes experience loss and trauma through critical incidents such as unexpected bereavement through accidental death which can have negative psychological effects. In many countries, where there is a school psychology service, it would seem likely that an Educational Psychologist could be involved in order to mitigate such psychological effects. Support led by Educational Psychologists and others is often organised through CriticalIncident Response Teams.Since 1994 a range of support offered by Educational Psychology Services in England has been documented in the literature. There is information in the literature about the range of professionals involved and the type of support that is offered. However, it is not clear why some responses/teams are more sustainable and why they vary in structure. The literature broadly specifies criticalincident responses, but this research aims to provide a more detailed specification, sharply focussed on the process of developing a CriticalIncident Response Team.The present study involved a series of interviews at seven Local Authorities which have CriticalIncident Response Teams all of which have been operational for at least five years. Multiple sources of evidence are used, namely semi-structured interviews with lead Educational Psychologists for criticalincident support and other Educational Psychologists and professionals who are part of the CriticalIncident Response Team. The transcriptions of all the semi-structured interviews were analysed using content analysis and thematic analysis. The findings were used to propose a theoretical model, containing indications of context, personnel and process factors to consider for the development of a sustainable CriticalIncident Response Team.

Aim: The aim was to investigate the ambulance nurses experiences during a specific ambulance missions that led to usage of LUCAS ™.Method: Participating ambulance…
(more)

▼

Aim: The aim was to investigate the ambulance nurses experiences during a specific ambulance missions that led to usage of LUCAS ™.Method: Participating ambulance nurses were randomly assigned from a total sample group of 12 women and 39 men. Five women and five men participated. Qualitative interviews were conducted, where the CriticalIncident Technique approach was used. Collected interviews were valued using qualitative content analysis.Result: Interview texts were divided into three domains, 10 subcategories could be identified which were sorted into three categories. A theme was finally formulated.The initial alarm data from SOS Alarm is important for the ambulance nurses preparation. There where cardiac arrest situations when the work went well, as well as situations where problems arose. The informants expressed that they should practice on LUCAS ™ to a greater extent than they now are doing. Staff in the emergency room, some time was perceived as stressful and they did not listen. The informants expressed frustration with the major administrative tasks after a LUCAS™ case, on the other hand, the "team spirit" where highlighted, they solve the task together.Conclusion: Developments during ambulance missions where LUCAS ™ will be used depends on, alarm data, resources, situation at the scene, planning, roles, supervision, handling of LUCAS ™ and Case Report Form, relatives and viewer reactions, the receipt at the emergency department and finally that ambulance staff cooperates after the LUCAS ™ mission.

The quality of a personality questionnaire is to a great extend determined by the items it consists of. There exists a multitude of literature and studies about the construction of psychological tests and questionnaires, however, barely any instrument which summarizes the central rules in a short and concise manner. Such an instrument is presented in this paper. A ‘catalogue of rules for item construction’ has been developed and various instruments to secure the quality during the item construction process are discussed.
The catalogue was applied and reviewed by developing an itempool for the ‘Vienna study-aptitude personality inventory (WSP). The personality inventory measures study relevant personality traits and pursues an approach of furtherance to improve the conselling of study beginners.
The basis for the itempool construction are the criticalincident data (Flanagan, 1954) from the preceding requirement analyses on general study-relevant requirements. Due to the close connection of this data with the contents of the items it was possible to develop an itempool specifically designed for the target group. The completed itempool consists of 351 items in seven scales and 22 subscales.
Additional instruments of quality assurance have been integrated into the process of item construction. Hence, this paper offers practical rules for item construction as well as suggestions for its application.

► How to best conduct a mentoring relationship has been confounded by the lack of a consistent definition of “mentoring” and the scarcity of studies addressing…
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▼ How to best conduct a mentoring relationship has been confounded by the lack of a consistent definition of “mentoring” and the scarcity of studies addressing how to achieve a positive outcome. This study contributes new, operationalized definitions of “mentoring,” “mentor,” and “protégé,” and a modified version of the CriticalIncident Technique and the Enhanced CriticalIncident Technique, called the Adapted CriticalIncident Technique (ACIT), which is more consistent with a qualitative methodology. The researcher interviewed 18 self-described mentors and protégés to obtain 207 quotes about what critical behaviours helped or hindered mentoring relationship outcomes. Independent judges confirmed the placement of quotes into 13 categories of behaviours that helped mentors and protégés to reach the mentoring goals and 10 categories of behaviours that hindered the mentoring outcome. The findings contribute to an increased understanding of the foundation upon which mentors and protégés in all fields may potentially build better programs and training under the guise of mentorship.
Advisors/Committee Members: Black, Timothy G. (supervisor).

► My purpose with the envisaged study was to determine the effect a criticalincident have on employees and how their functioning, psychosocially and at work…
(more)

▼ My purpose with the envisaged study was to determine the
effect a criticalincident have on employees and how their
functioning, psychosocially and at work is affected. Furthermore
the goal was to determine if the employees who was affected by a
criticalincident was exposed to CriticalIncident Stress
Management (CISM) intervention, and if so did it have an impact on
their functioning ( Psychosocial and work performance). An extended
literature study was conducted to comprehend the meaning of trauma,
the different facets of trauma, how it can impact on an emotional,
physical, cognitive and behavioural level. The literature study
further focused on the impact of a criticalincident on the work
performance and family life of the employee. Attention was given to
the models in CISM intervention, the role of Employee assistance
programs as well as the perceived outcomes of interventions the
respondents were exposed to. In the study, data was collected in a
qualitative as well as a quantitative manner. In the quantitative
study two questionnaires were used as tool to collect information.
In the qualitative study the researcher used clinical case notes as
part of the document analysis as well as a semi structured
interview with both the employee as well as the manager as data
sources. Respondents (therapists) were selected according to the
probability sampling procedure for the quantitative study and
respondents volunteered to participate in the qualitative study
after participating in the quantitative study. Participation in the
study was voluntary and the participation rate in the quantitative
study was 67.5% and in the qualitative study 22.22% It was evident
from the study that employees were affected by a variety of
critical incidents divergent in severity, circumstances and
duration. The impact on each individual was unique and responses
ranged in terms of severity. It was evident from the study that
employees were affected by the criticalincident and subsequently
their work performance and psychosocial functioning was affected.
The study managed to provide sufficient evidence on the impact of
the criticalincident on the psychosocial functioning and work
performance of the employee. The research proved that individual
counselling is effective in working through the incident and
improving the psychosocial functioning and work performance
significantly. The study also proved that intervention in the form
of defusing, debriefing, individual counselling and aftercare is
effective in addressing employees' reactions, supporting them to
recover emotionally from the criticalincident and improving their
psychosocial functioning and subsequently their work performance.
Conclusions and recommendations were made in terms of the empirical
findings. The researcher hope that these conclusions and
recommendations will be of value and contribute to the study field
of CISM and EAP and have a positive impact on employees exposed to
critical incidents and their recovery process.
Advisors/Committee Members: Terblanche, L.S. (Lourens) (advisor).

Van Wyk, A. A. (. A. (2011). An impact
assessment of a critical incident on the psychosocial functioning
and work performance of an employee. (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Pretoria. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2263/29042

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

Van Wyk, A A (Albert Andre). “An impact
assessment of a critical incident on the psychosocial functioning
and work performance of an employee.” 2011. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pretoria. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/29042.

MLA Handbook (7th Edition):

Van Wyk, A A (Albert Andre). “An impact
assessment of a critical incident on the psychosocial functioning
and work performance of an employee.” 2011. Web. 21 Jan 2019.

Vancouver:

Van Wyk AA(A. An impact
assessment of a critical incident on the psychosocial functioning
and work performance of an employee. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Pretoria; 2011. [cited 2019 Jan 21].
Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/29042.

Council of Science Editors:

Van Wyk AA(A. An impact
assessment of a critical incident on the psychosocial functioning
and work performance of an employee. [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Pretoria; 2011. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/29042

University of Pretoria

10.
[No author].
An impact assessment of a criticalincident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
.

► My purpose with the envisaged study was to determine the effect a criticalincident have on employees and how their functioning, psychosocially and at work…
(more)

▼ My purpose with the envisaged study was to determine
the effect a criticalincident have on employees and how their
functioning, psychosocially and at work is affected. Furthermore
the goal was to determine if the employees who was affected by a
criticalincident was exposed to CriticalIncident Stress
Management (CISM) intervention, and if so did it have an impact on
their functioning ( Psychosocial and work performance). An extended
literature study was conducted to comprehend the meaning of trauma,
the different facets of trauma, how it can impact on an emotional,
physical, cognitive and behavioural level. The literature study
further focused on the impact of a criticalincident on the work
performance and family life of the employee. Attention was given to
the models in CISM intervention, the role of Employee assistance
programs as well as the perceived outcomes of interventions the
respondents were exposed to. In the study, data was collected in a
qualitative as well as a quantitative manner. In the quantitative
study two questionnaires were used as tool to collect information.
In the qualitative study the researcher used clinical case notes as
part of the document analysis as well as a semi structured
interview with both the employee as well as the manager as data
sources. Respondents (therapists) were selected according to the
probability sampling procedure for the quantitative study and
respondents volunteered to participate in the qualitative study
after participating in the quantitative study. Participation in the
study was voluntary and the participation rate in the quantitative
study was 67.5% and in the qualitative study 22.22% It was evident
from the study that employees were affected by a variety of
critical incidents divergent in severity, circumstances and
duration. The impact on each individual was unique and responses
ranged in terms of severity. It was evident from the study that
employees were affected by the criticalincident and subsequently
their work performance and psychosocial functioning was affected.
The study managed to provide sufficient evidence on the impact of
the criticalincident on the psychosocial functioning and work
performance of the employee. The research proved that individual
counselling is effective in working through the incident and
improving the psychosocial functioning and work performance
significantly. The study also proved that intervention in the form
of defusing, debriefing, individual counselling and aftercare is
effective in addressing employees' reactions, supporting them to
recover emotionally from the criticalincident and improving their
psychosocial functioning and subsequently their work performance.
Conclusions and recommendations were made in terms of the empirical
findings. The researcher hope that these conclusions and
recommendations will be of value and contribute to the study field
of CISM and EAP and have a positive impact on employees exposed to
critical incidents and their recovery process.
Advisors/Committee Members: Terblanche, L.S. (Lourens) (advisor).

author], [. (2011). An impact assessment of a critical incident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
. (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Pretoria. Retrieved from http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10252011-133455/

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

author], [No. “An impact assessment of a critical incident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
.” 2011. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pretoria. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10252011-133455/.

MLA Handbook (7th Edition):

author], [No. “An impact assessment of a critical incident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
.” 2011. Web. 21 Jan 2019.

Vancouver:

author] [. An impact assessment of a critical incident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
. [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Pretoria; 2011. [cited 2019 Jan 21].
Available from: http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10252011-133455/.

Council of Science Editors:

author] [. An impact assessment of a critical incident on the
psychosocial functioning and work performance of an
employee
. [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Pretoria; 2011. Available from: http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10252011-133455/

► This research examined leadership in difficult situations using phenomenological and criticalincident analyses of 14 interviews with respected leaders. Leadership in difficult situations was examined…
(more)

▼ This research examined leadership in difficult situations using phenomenological and criticalincident analyses of 14 interviews with respected leaders. Leadership in difficult situations was examined as a personal experience consistent with the perspective of counselling psychology. The phenomenological analysis has produced four voices. The first voice captures the participants' description of leadership as a paradox of personal and situational dynamics. The second voice forms an uncommon elucidation of the lived experience of leadership in difficult situations. The participants are seen to be striving in a resilient manner characterized by a sense of acceptance and authenticity. The third and fourth voices describe the means by which the participants are effective in difficult situations. The third voice captures the intra-personal process of resonance, personal and social awareness, personal supports, mastery of the issues, and the capacity to generate remarkable outcomes. The fourth phenomenological voice captures the participant's active engagement in connecting with people, shaping the work context and leading collaboration to develop a successful process.
Five categories have been produced by the CriticalIncident Technique, which examined what helps and what hinders in the experience of leadership through difficult situations. The five categories are: being experienced, principled and self-aware; having personal supports and influences; being interested and skilled in connecting with people; being both energetic and able to withdraw appropriately; finally, actively cultivating their perspective or vision. These five categories indicate the capacity of the participants for diverse means of participation in difficult situations. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice.

► The questions addressed in this study arose from an earlier project which attempted to provide videoconferencing opportunities for Second Language (SL) teachers to engaging in…
(more)

▼ The questions addressed in this study arose from an earlier project which attempted to provide videoconferencing opportunities for Second Language (SL) teachers to engaging in bilingual “virtual exchanges” for their students (hereafter referred to as “eTandem videoconferencing”). This investigation was initially motivated by the interest on discovering why these teachers and their students did not take the opportunity to participate in the synchronous part of the exchanges. This qualitative study reports on the developmental paths experienced by twenty SL teachers from the US, the UK, Switzerland and Spain and their pupils in the process. It particularly aims to discover what teachers' roles emerge in the process. The research also focuses on how these teachers’ practices are consistent with a more social constructivist approach to Computer Assisted Language Learning. The investigation builds on Hartnell-Young’s theoretical model (2003) of teachers’ roles where computers are used. Data collection involves an initial survey, observation of teachers and students before, during and after the exchanges and video-stimulated recall interviews with the teachers. The research centres on critical incidents experienced by these teachers. Hugues' model (2009) of the expanded criticalincident approach provides the methodological framework. In line with her model, the study has created a multifaceted word picture of these teachers, further characterised by a condensed set of critical findings. The teachers’ accounts reveal several incidents that inhibited or supported the teachers’ development in terms of how they planned the learning environment regarding the physical space, the virtual setting and the social environment and in terms of how they mediated the implementation of the exchanges towards a more interactive approach. In doing so, this investigation adds to the knowledge base available to educators and researchers by offering greater understanding about these SL teachers’ particular experiences.

► The purpose of this study is to explore critical moments that affect closeness in the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. While historically an understudied family relationship, research has…
(more)

▼ The purpose of this study is to explore critical moments that affect closeness in the grandfather-granddaughter relationship. While historically an understudied family relationship, research has repeatedly shown that grandparents can significantly influence their grandchildren. However, very little research has been done to explore the nuances of the cross-sex intergenerational relationship of grandfathers and granddaughters, specifically in terms of how they negotiate closeness. The goal of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the significant moments that either increase or decrease closeness within the grandfather-granddaughter dyad. Using criticalincident analysis, 160 granddaughters participated in the study. Granddaughters reported 302 critical moments of closeness with their grandfathers, from which eight major categories emerged. The study concludes that grandfathers and granddaughters construct closeness in a unique way, combining traditional masculine and feminine forms of creating and maintaining closeness.
Advisors/Committee Members: Morman, Mark T (advisor).

▼ Disruptions can cause projects to fail. Within the project management literature, approaches to managing disruptions consist of uncertainty, risk, opportunity, change, and crisis management. These approaches focus on developing strategies to manage perceived threats and also work towards predicting risk, therefore, reducing vulnerability. This vulnerability-reduction only focus is limiting because it takes the focus away from the development of a general capacity for readiness and for responding to uncertain situations. A resiliency approach enables a simultaneous focus on vulnerability reduction, readiness and response and thus ensures recovery. Given the context and discipline specific nature of the resilience concept, and the little or no attention in projects, this thesis conceptualises resilience in projects. This conceptualisation is to enable the identification of factors to consider and indicators to ensure overall project recovery, through the identification of dimensions and antecedents of resilience respectively. The aim of this study therefore, is to develop a framework to conceptualise resilience in projects. To achieve this aim, three case studies, namely; building, civil engineering and engineering construction projects were investigated. Within each case study, the criticalincident technique was employed to identify disruptions and their management through direct observations of human activities, narration of critical incidents and review of documents on disruption. Following this, a comparative analysis and synthesis of the case studies was carried out and findings revealed definition, dimensions, antecedents and consequences of resilience in projects. Specifically, resilience in projects is defined as; the capability of a project to respond to, prepare for and reduce the impact of disruption caused by the drifting environment and project complexity. The dimensions of resilience are; proactivity, coping ability, flexibility and persistence. Proactivity can be defined as an anticipatory capability that the project takes to influence their endeavours whilst coping ability can be defined as the capability to manage and deal with stress caused by disruptions within the projects. Furthermore, flexibility can be defined as the capability of a project to manage disruption by allowing change but ultimately making sure that the aim is maintained and persistence is the capability to continue despite difficult situations. Several antecedents of these dimensions of resilience are identified. For proactivity these include contract, training, monitoring, contingency and experience. For coping ability these include the contract, training, contingency and experience. For flexibility these include open-mindedness, planning, continual monitoring and continual identification of ideas and for persistence these include continual monitoring, planning and negotiation. Also, the consequence of resilience in projects is recovery through response, readiness and vulnerability reduction. This conceptualisation of resilience is…

► To evaluate the effectiveness of counseling received after an officer involved shooting, officers were administered three rounds of questionnaires using The Delphi Method in order…
(more)

▼ To evaluate the effectiveness of counseling received after an officer involved shooting, officers were administered three rounds of questionnaires using The Delphi Method in order to build a consensus about which treatment modalities are most effective and which are not. Results showed that all officers received some form of counseling, whether it be sessions with a psychologist, CriticalIncident Stress Management debriefings, or more informal methods. CriticalIncident Stress Management debriefing was among the most beneficial method of counseling received by the officers and was recommended for future officers by the participants. Administrative leave was reported to be the least beneficial aspect by respondents. The policies and procedures in place at police departments on handling a criticalincident lack a tailored process to reflect what the individual officer needs to recover from the traumatic incident. This research gave an in depth look at what the officer experience and how a post-shooting intervention can be improved.
Advisors/Committee Members: Mullins, Wayman C. (advisor), Williams, Howard E. (committee member), Bowman, Scott W. (committee member).

► Alliances between different companies in the supply chain tend to become more important, since individual companies encounter increasing challenges on cost, quality, speed and flexibility…
(more)

▼ Alliances between different companies in the supply chain tend to become more important, since individual companies encounter increasing challenges on cost, quality, speed and flexibility issues. Focusing on their core business, companies need to find a balance between the short term transaction model thoughts and strategic intensive cooperation with partners. Unfortunately the short term vision of results in opportunistic buyer behavior. Profound literature study learnt that there has hardly been any study on buyer opportunism, seen through the eyes of the buyer and no specific report has been found on buyer opportunism in strategic supplier alliances. Moreover, conflicting conclusions were found on trust, knowledge sharing, alliance horizon, dependence and formalization as antecedent of buyer opportunism.
The problem statement of this reports therefore is: “What’s the role of opportunistic buyer behavior in strategic supplier alliances?”
A quantitative field study was performed using the Criticalincident technique by interviewing 13 buyers and purchase managers, resulting in 29 ‘incidents’. All respondents were employed by Dutch industrial manufacturers, but not in high-tech. Several potential respondents appeared to have no experience with opportunism at all, and half of the respondents who did recall opportunistic incidents could only remember less than three occurrences.
During the study it became clear that in many incidents buyers showed opportunistic behavior that is similar to the advised tactics of the ‘leverage’ quadrant in Kraljic’s matrix, such as exploiting buyer power and single focus on price negotiations.
Opportunistic buyer behavior was categorized in three groups:
1. Buyer breaches agreements
2. Buyer lies and cheats
3. Abuse of buyer power-surplus
Typically, in almost all incidents more than one category appeared, mostly resulting in severe relational damage or even termination. In none of the incidents a single clue was found that there might be positive long term effects resulting from buyer opportunism and therefore we may induce that opportunism is harmful and undesirable in strategic supplier relationships.
Several buyers tend to put part the responsibility of their behavior with their superiors or blame the pressure on short term results or impracticable working procedures. In some cases buyer opportunism was a reaction on preceding supplier opportunism. Finally buyers only applied opportunism when the relation with their supplier was already unsatisfactory. Economical motives and relational discomfort seem to be the basis of buyer opportunism. “Leverage” quadrant power abuse seems to be incorporated in the system of many buyers, but on the other hand in many cases it was the result of a calculated evaluation of risks and consequences.
An etiquette on behavior, better and practicable rules and regulations, monitoring and advocacy could prevent buyers to degrade to opportunism or waive responsibility. Circulation of buyers will prevent buyers from getting personally and…

Officer-involved shootings (OIS) sometimes occur as a result of provocative and suicidal behavior among offenders. This phenomenon, known as suicide by cop (SbC), has been shown to represent a significant part of OIS-cases in North American samples. This study aims to provide a descriptive picture of SbC in Sweden based on frequency and characteristics of situations and offenders. It also aims to describe how SbC can be experienced and handled by police officers. OIS-cases that occurred during 2005-2009 were investigated and ten officers were interviewed. Results showed that SbC accounted for 26 % of the OIS-cases. Interviewed officers often perceived perpetrators as both aggressive and suicidal and an uncertainty over who actually had control was considered a key issue. Officers also reported acute stress reactions and posttraumatic memories as a result of SbC. Increased knowledge about the psychology of SbC is considered as an important factor for dealing with SbC-situations.

► As ambulance staff, are there any risks that critical incidents may be experienced as traumatic and affect the individual negatively? What the outcome will…
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▼ As ambulance staff, are there any risks that critical incidents may be experienced as traumatic and affect the individual negatively? What the outcome will be for those affected depends on how well prepared the ambulance staff is. Research shows that peer support is an important feature to reduce the risk of the caregiver to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and how the continued careing becomes. The first support, however, is the most important thing when a carer experiences a criticalincident. The aim of this study was to identify how ambulance staff experiences peer support. The methodology of the study was a triangulation, which means that quantitative and qualitative methods are mixed. This methodology makes it possible to study the subject as deeply as possible and still maintain a high validity and reliability. A questionnaire was designd and sent out to the informants. There were 169 persons who were asked to participate. The survery was voluntary and anonymous. A total number of 100 carers with different job titles chose to participate. A majority of the ambulance staff said that they had experienced a criticalincident that influenced them at work. The results show that peer support is important to most people and that a majority of those affected chose to talk to their colleague in connection with the incident. When peer support was not used this had to do with personal chemistry and/or that it was not considered necessary. The results show that it would be desirable if a professional kept regular monitoring or reflection with those affected by a criticalincident. Not a colleague since personal chemistry may lead to unsatisfactory results.

► As consumer reportings of disrespect become more frequent, it is important to gain an in-depth understanding of potential causes and consequences of disrespectful behaviour. Both…
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▼ As consumer reportings of disrespect become more frequent, it is important to gain an in-depth understanding of potential causes and consequences of disrespectful behaviour. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine behaviours that define disrespect in the marketplace, the effects on customers and implications on organisations. The findings revealed six main themes representing causes or influencers of disrespect. These are rude responses, perceptions of discrimination, the presence of an audience, a sale-focussed atmosphere, personal conversations and process-related problems.
Two important concepts emerged through analysis of behaviours that cause disrespect. The first considers that disrespectful behaviour can be categorised as being either person-related or process-related. An important finding was that switching behaviour dominantly resulted from process-related disrespect. The second emergent concept was based on the idea that some causes of disrespect may be specific to market environments. In such cases, perceptions of disrespect were influenced by the high standards of service that customers expect in the marketplace.
Analysing the effects of disrespect on customers also revealed new findings. It was interesting to find that victims considered the offender‟s perspective following a disrespectful encounter. Evidence of this transpired through empathy towards the disrespectful party and concern for the organisation. Two distinct coping mechanisms used by victims were also uncovered. These were decisions to change future behaviour and mutual disrespect.
In regards to implications of disrespect on organisations, many disrespected customers continued patronising organisations responsible; however, this was accompanied by a decrease in relationship strength.

Kumar, N. (2009). Disrespect in Consumer Markets: An analysis of causes and effects using the Critical Incident Technique
. (Masters Thesis). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/3274

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

Kumar, Nidhie. “Disrespect in Consumer Markets: An analysis of causes and effects using the Critical Incident Technique
.” 2009. Masters Thesis, University of Waikato. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://hdl.handle.net/10289/3274.

Kumar N. Disrespect in Consumer Markets: An analysis of causes and effects using the Critical Incident Technique
. [Masters Thesis]. University of Waikato; 2009. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/3274

22.
Adank, Ashton O.Implicit Bias: The Decision to Shoot or Not Shoot.

► This study used a videogame to simulate encounters that law enforcement officers may have with potentially hostile targets. Implicit bias is something that every…
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▼ This study used a videogame to simulate encounters that law enforcement officers may have with potentially hostile targets. Implicit bias is something that every person carries with him or her. It is unconsciously learned from the societies within which we live, from the overt to the subliminal messages that bombard us daily. This research attempted to determine whether implicit bias real and present, and to what extent can this notion be empirically observed. The literature review covered (1) What does the existing literature say about the nature and extent of implicit bias? (2) What are some examples of implicit bias? (3) Where do we learn, and how do we acquire, implicit bias? This explanatory study sought to determine whether implicit bias may contribute to fatal shooting events. Although not statistically significant, an analysis of the raw numbers of incorrect shots may suggest that participants were more likely to make a mistake (whether Type I or II Error) when the person in the scene was White rather than Black. Popular media would suggest that the unarmed black male would be shot the most, but this study’s sample population has suggested other results.
Advisors/Committee Members: Douglas Lee Gilbertson, Dick Andzenge, Joseph Melcher.

► A student’s academic success is largely tied to the connections that a student makes to the college campus. These connections are a part of the…
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▼ A student’s academic success is largely tied to the connections that a student makes to the college campus. These connections are a part of the campus climate and culture intended to enhance positive perceptions and experiences, and engage positive student behaviors. This contributes to retention and completion as well; hence the higher a student’s perception of his or her connection to campus, the more likely a student is of being academically successful. A sense of connectedness is also associated with a student’s sense of well-being. If a student feels that he or she is in an unsafe environment, or that the level of safety provided by the institution is questionable, the student may lose the ability to fully invest themselves in the campus community, thereby lessening the chances of being as successful as they could be otherwise.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of community college students who have experienced an act of campus violence at their institution, and how this experience has affected their academic success. Specific focus was given in this study to the students’ perceptions of their sense of security while on campus and how they perceived their institution had supported their success after an act of violence occurred. Data collection began with email requests for participants to complete a 25 question survey. From the responses, 15 participants were purposively chosen for analysis. The criticalincident technique was used to gather the data due to nature of the human activities and their significance to the participants involved. Data analysis was conducted using the constant-comparative method. The study is significant in that it is intended to inform higher education practitioners of the effects of campus violence on a community college student’s sense of security while on campus, as well as informing practitioners of the perception of institutional supportiveness for academic success. This study is of further significance in that it explored perceptions of safety from students who have experienced an act of violence with regard to environmental design and institutional policies and procedures, and the study sought recommendations from students who experienced acts of violence that will assist higher education practitioners in increasing students’ perceptions of campus safety and institutional support for academic success. Trustworthiness was established through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, due to familiarity with the culture of the participants through protracted engagement, detailed reporting, reflexive evaluation, and by providing thick, rich descriptions.
The findings of this study revealed that regardless of the level of experience the participants had with an act of violence at their institution, their perceptions of safety and security were largely the same, however the immediate reactions of the participants after experiencing an act of violence varied greatly depending on the level of experience the…
Advisors/Committee Members: Smith, Dimitra J (committee member), Riley, Rebecca L (committee member), Jones, Stephanie J (Committee Chair).

-2455-7025. (2016). Critical incident of campus violence: Community college students experiences and perceptions of its effect on academic success. (Doctoral Dissertation). Texas Tech University. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2346/72289

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Author name may be incomplete

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

-2455-7025. “Critical incident of campus violence: Community college students experiences and perceptions of its effect on academic success.” 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, Texas Tech University. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://hdl.handle.net/2346/72289.

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Author name may be incomplete

MLA Handbook (7th Edition):

-2455-7025. “Critical incident of campus violence: Community college students experiences and perceptions of its effect on academic success.” 2016. Web. 21 Jan 2019.

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Author name may be incomplete

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Author name may be incomplete

Council of Science Editors:

-2455-7025. Critical incident of campus violence: Community college students experiences and perceptions of its effect on academic success. [Doctoral Dissertation]. Texas Tech University; 2016. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2346/72289

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Author name may be incomplete

Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective actions in health care. The program for vaccination in Sweden includes ten diseases and the fifth dose is given when children are five years old. Preschoolers are in a development stage that makes vaccination more difficult. Studies describe the difficulties nurses experience in relation to vaccination of children; lack of knowledge is experienced about procedures to handle the situations. The aim of the study was to describe critical incidents by the Primary Child Health Care (PCHC) nurse’s descriptions and actions during vaccination of preschoolers who resist vaccination. CriticalIncident Technique was used during the study. Data collection was made in a county council in the south of Sweden. Eleven PCHC nurses were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analysed. Ethical considerations based on current guidelines were made. Results revealed one main area about PCHC nurse’s descriptions: The PCHC nurses observations at vaccination. Two main areas were revealed about PCHC nurse’s actions: The PCHC nurse promotes vaccinations and the PCHC nurse makes a decision about implementation of the vaccinations. Conclusions clarify the importance of interaction between preschoolers, parents and the PCHC nurses leading to participation and positive experiences of vaccination. Suggestions for practical action reveal to promote and facilitate vaccination of preschooler.

► The research was a qualitative study investigating the lived experiences of teacher librarians as evidence based practitioners in Australian school libraries. It addressed how teacher…
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▼ The research was a qualitative study investigating the lived experiences of teacher librarians as evidence based practitioners in Australian school libraries. It addressed how teacher librarians understood, applied and implemented evidence based practice, and investigated what these teacher librarians considered to constitute evidence. Two key critical findings of this research are that evidence based practice for teacher librarians is a holistic experience and evidence for teacher librarians can take many forms, including professional knowledge, observations, statistics, informal feedback and personal reflections.
The study is significant to teacher librarians, library and information professionals, schools and school administrators, and the research field.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate an institution which carries out milieu and individual therapy regarding youth. Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the way of working in critical situations according to <em>criticalincident-method</em>. Therefore, the author found the following questions relevant to this evaluation: Which sort of critical situations arise according to employee’s experiences? How can we solve these critical situations within the operation? Are the solutions of these critical situations anchored to the milieu therapeutic theory? The evaluation is based upon information from 9 respondents, of which one of the respondents is the evaluator’s writer. The collected information represents observation, question formulas and supplementary interviews. The material consists of 50 critical situations in which 47 situations account for tables under the result of analysis plus connection to the milieu therapeutic theory and earlier research. In the material 6 core problems emerge: threats and violence, occupational roll, and work groups, alcohol and nar-cotics break towards the operational structure, youth towards work groups and shifts in indi-vidual youths. The result shows that all solutions are supportive of the milieu therapeutic theory.

Background: Scientific articles has shown that patients that have had a stroke during their hospitalization receive lesser degree of care, than patients that has been admitted with a stroke. Literature has shown we need more knowledge how to improve stroke care to get a secure, knowledge based and effective stroke care in hospitals. Aim: The study aims to identify the events that have been critical in the management of hospitalized patients who suffer a stroke. Method: CIT has been used as a data collection method to bring in information, it has been used in the airforce and more recently has been used more widely in national healthcare. Qualitative contents analysis, according to Burnard (1996), gives basis for analyzing the material. The analysis was based on 10 interviews with nurses who have experience of patients diagnosed with stroke during hospitalization. Interviews were conducted at 5 (five) different departments within the Sahlgrenska Hospital in spring 2016. Result: Critical…

► The experience of how youth get off the street is scarcely documented. The present study explored what helped and hindered youth in their experience as…
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▼ The experience of how youth get off the street is scarcely documented. The present study explored what helped and hindered youth in their experience as they tried to get off the street and addressed the following research question: “How have youth experienced trying to get off the street: what has helped and hindered?” Twenty youth, aged 19-24 years of age, living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who have spent time living on the street were interviewed using Flanagan’s (1954) CriticalIncident Technique. The qualitative analysis of the interviews identified 259 critical incidents, forming nine helping categories and six hindering categories when youth tried to leave the streets. The nine helping categories included: (1) Taking Responsibility, (2) Engaging in Constructive Activities, (3) Friends and Family Support, (4) Changing Drug and Alcohol Use, (5) Support from Professional Organizations, (6) Disillusionment of Street Life, (7) Dreams and Hope for a Different Future, (8) Income Assistance and (9) Leaving Negative Influences Behind. The six hindering categories were: (1) Drugs and Alcohol, (2) Emotional Struggles, (3) Lack of Support, (4) Enjoyment of Homelessness, (5) Limited Formal Education, Life Skills and Employment and (6) Income Assistance Difficulties. The results from this study are discussed in relation to implications for theory, practice and future research.

Brown, T. L. (2008). How have youth experienced trying to get off the street : what has helped and hindered
. (Thesis). University of British Columbia. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2429/727

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

Chicago Manual of Style (16th Edition):

Brown, Tracy L. “How have youth experienced trying to get off the street : what has helped and hindered
.” 2008. Thesis, University of British Columbia. Accessed January 21, 2019.
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/727.

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

MLA Handbook (7th Edition):

Brown, Tracy L. “How have youth experienced trying to get off the street : what has helped and hindered
.” 2008. Web. 21 Jan 2019.

Vancouver:

Brown TL. How have youth experienced trying to get off the street : what has helped and hindered
. [Internet] [Thesis]. University of British Columbia; 2008. [cited 2019 Jan 21].
Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/727.

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

Council of Science Editors:

Brown TL. How have youth experienced trying to get off the street : what has helped and hindered
. [Thesis]. University of British Columbia; 2008. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/727

Note: this citation may be lacking information needed for this citation format:Not specified: Masters Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

► This paper describes a criticalincident analysis as part of a larger cognitive task analysis to examine coordination and decision making in urban firefighting teams.…
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▼ This paper describes a criticalincident analysis as
part of a larger cognitive task analysis to examine coordination
and decision making in urban firefighting teams. Previous research
indicates that firefighter decision strategies employ a
pattern-matching technique that allows them to choose the first
workable option based on similar previous experiences. This
research however, does not capture decision making in teams where
decisions are distributed across interdependent groups and
individuals. The current study employs a criticalincident analysis
to investigate the role of coordination in emergency response
operations. The findings revealed a flow of activity in fire
incidents that exhibit five phases of activity, coordination and
decision-making: alert, initial entry, re-planning, emergency and
resolution. Of the four cases analyzed, two exhibited all five and
two lacked the emergency phase. The occurrence of coordination
breakdowns in the emergency phase suggests the importance of
designing systems to support coordination in distributed
teams.
Advisors/Committee Members: Woods, Professor David D. (Advisor).

► Innovation is a driving force in economic activity and often considered essential for organizational health and growth; therefore, a better understanding of the employee behaviors…
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▼ Innovation is a driving force in economic activity and often considered essential for organizational health and growth; therefore, a better understanding of the employee behaviors that supervisors most frequently associate with employee innovativeness, innovative work behaviors, has the potential to be very beneficial. Although much has been written about it, most previous work has focused on behavior categories or dimensions without seeking to observe or understand how innovative work behavior is manifested in the workplace.
Criticalincident technique is a well-established and extensively applied method of inquiry for determining effective work role behaviors, but it has not previously been applied well to the study of innovative work behavior. This study applied criticalincident technique to collect first hand behavior observations in the places where innovative work behavior occurs. A better understanding of the discrete behaviors associated with workplace innovation can assist Human Resources Development practitioners and educators in administering innovation focused training and development initiatives.
The research presented in this dissertation indicates that what supervisors within organizations with a stated innovation orientation perceive as effective innovative work behavior can be summarized as four primary behaviors: generating ideas, recognizing problems or opportunities, acquiring ideas from sources external to the employee’s immediate work organization, and promoting ideas to others within the work organization.